Norwich City vs. West Ham United Prediction, 7/11/20
Being one defeat away from relegation, bottom-dwelling Norwich City is hosting 16th-placed West Ham United, who are also battling to stay in the Premier League for another year. Kick-off - at 7:30 AM ET on Saturday, July 11.
Norwich Lose Sixth In Row
Norwich City received their sixth consecutive defeat after being edged out with a count of 2-1 by Watford away at Vicarage Road on Tuesday. A scoreless run of seven hours and 53 minutes in the Premier League finally ended for the Canaries, who opened the scoring with Emiliano Buendia’s first-ever marker in England’s highest division in the 4th minute of the match before the hosts equalized six minutes later, eventually banking the winner in the second half. Norwich remain the only team in Europe’s top-five leagues yet to recover a point from a losing position and, currently sitting bottom of the EPL (W5 D6 L23), will be officially relegated in case of a loss to West Ham United.
Finnish striker Teemu Pukki leads the Canaries with 11 league markers but has failed to find the back of the net for 10 straight EPL contests. Goalie Tim Krul, meanwhile, sits 2nd in the Premier League with 113 saves. He has posted five clean sheets in 32 outings this year and gives up a goal every 51 minutes on average. Norwich have netted the absolute lowest quantity of strikes this season (26), while delivering the 12th highest amount of shots per game (11.3). The team is 9th in both ball possession (50.8%) and passing accuracy (80.6%).
West Ham Get Edged By Clarets
West Ham United failed to improve on their survival bid in the Premier League after ending a two-game unbeaten run (W1 D1) with a 1-0 home defeat to Burnley at London Stadium on Wednesday. The Hammers outshot the visitors 21-8, with Tomas Soucek, Michail Antonio, and Sebastien Haller all coming close to scoring, only for the Clarets to bank the only strike of the game in the 38th minute, leaving West Ham shooting blanks for the fourth time in their last six EPL games. The East Londoners remain 16th in the league (W8 D7 L19), sitting three points above the relegation zone.
French striker Haller tops West Ham’s scoring table with seven EPL tallies but has netted just once in his last nine league appearances. Goalie Lukasz Fabianski, meanwhile, resides 17th in the Premier League with 62 saves. He has picked up four clean sheets in 21 contests during the ongoing campaign and concedes a goal every 57 minutes of play. The Hammers have buried the 11th highest number of snipes this season (40) while taking the 15th highest amount of shots per game (10.8). The team is 16th in ball possession (45.0%) and 15th in passing accuracy (75.8%).
Prediction
Norwich City are unbeaten in 17 straight home league contests against West Ham United since 1973 (W9 D8), but will face quite a challenge to earn even just a point versus the Hammers, who have been struggling themselves lately, but are still very much in the fight to remain in England’s top-flight for another year. The Canaries seem to have accepted their fate of relegation, which will be officially confirmed following a defeat here. West Ham, on the other hand, sit three points above the drop-zone and have already demonstrated willingness to grind. The team has looked determined in its past three fixtures, beating Chelsea (3-2), drawing with Newcastle United (2-2) and losing 1-0 to Burnley in a game full of scoring chances. So, do expect another solid showing from the Hammers on Saturday!
Best bet:
West Ham to win (+100)